Tai Chi & Qigong Surrey

01/12/2025

Tai Chi Pushing Hands - Saturday 13 December - 10-12.45 in Reigate (at the Quaker Meeting House)

Tai Chi Pushing Hands is an enjoyable and easily accessible two-person tai chi practice in which you learn more about how to navigate the energetic forces (physical, emotional, social) that we meet in every day life.

The class is open to all levels, including complete beginners.

If you'd like to reserve a spot please contact Nicci on twgwithnicci@gmail.com or 07960881561.

29/11/2025

Research - Tai chi can help with insomnia

A new study in the BMJ found that practising t’ai chi twice a week for three months improved long-term sleep just as well as cognitive behavioural therapy (the current gold-standard treatment). While CBT worked faster at first, t’ai chi slightly outperformed it over the long run — and some participants may have kept up the practice after the study.

✨ Bonus: Other research suggests t’ai chi and similar relaxation practices may also help lower blood pressure.

Authors of the study of 200 people, conducted in Hong Kong, said

“Our findings suggest that t’ai chi can lead to substantial improvements in ­insomnia severity after a three-month intervention while the long-term efficacy of t’ai chi is non-inferior to that of CBT, the gold standard treatment for chronic insomnia.”

Our next term starts on 14 January. I'm running a waiting list. If you'd like to be kept informed about spaces in our Wednesday morning or evening tai chi classes please let me know on twgwithnicci@gmail.com

[Thanks to one of my lovely students, Linda, for sharing this article with me.]

28/11/2025

When the universe speaks… ✨

I always tell my students and patients that the universe sends us messages — and when it does, it’s worth paying attention.

One of the clearest signs is when doors keep closing in front of you, no matter how much you try to push forward.

Today, I had that experience in full force.

I was on my way to the Netherlands for a course with my teacher, Shen Jin, flying out of Stansted. I’d left plenty of time, but the universe clearly had other plans. One unexpected obstacle after another: over an hour stuck in a service-station car park (so much for that coffee stop!), the “every 10 minutes” bus that turned out to be every 20, and even losing my phone at security — literally the first time that has ever happened to me.

So the message was pretty clear.

Instead of being in class this weekend, I’m getting a peaceful, plan-free few days at home, with bonus time to spend with my best friend. Honestly… how lovely is that?

Thank you, universe. I’m listening. ✨

How often do you listen to the universe?

(Picture is a very wind swept Nicci on the way back to the car after running through the airport.)

23/11/2025

£500 raised for the British Heart Foundation at our annual charity day in memory of Paul Brewer.

Thank you to this fabulous cast of teachers and assistants and to all the people who came along and joined us today.

14/11/2025

Exciting times for the Reigate Wellbeing Centre, the new home for Acupuncture Surrey .

If you'd like to know more about what's on offer check https://www.reigatewellbeingcentre.com/

11/11/2025

Join us for our charity practice day in Reigate (Colman Redland Centre) on Sunday 23 November from 10am.

This is an amazing opportunity to sample tai chi, qigong, meditation and experience a sound bath. We will also have tea breaks in the morning and afternoon and enjoy a communal lunch together.

All profits go to charity.

Beginners are welcome!

If you'd like to attend please RSVP to Nicci via email on twgwithnicci@gmail.com or WhatsApp on 07960 881561

05/11/2025

🌌 Heaven • Human • Earth

In Chinese philosophy — and in practices like Tai Chi, Qigong, and acupuncture — we often talk about the harmony of Heaven, Human, and Earth.

✨ Heaven is the great rhythm of life — the sun rising, the seasons shifting, the flow of Qi that moves through everything.
When we rise with the morning light, practice outdoors, or simply pause to look at the sky and breathe deeply, we’re connecting with Heaven.

🌱 Earth is our foundation — the ground beneath our feet, the food that nourishes us, the body we live in.
We connect with Earth each time we eat warm, seasonal food, walk barefoot, or slow down enough to feel our weight sink through our feet in standing meditation.
Acupuncture also helps us ground — bringing energy back into the body when life pulls us too far into our heads.

🧘‍♀️ Human stands between Heaven and Earth — the bridge that links the two.
Through awareness, movement, and breath, we can bring Heaven’s light into Earth’s steadiness.
Each time we move mindfully through Tai Chi or Qigong, we are harmonising these two forces within us.

When Heaven, Human, and Earth move together, life flows more smoothly.
We feel calm, connected, and aligned — rooted in the Earth, open to Heaven, and fully present in ourselves.

That’s the heart of healing and practice — coming back into balance with the natural flow of life. 🌿

22/10/2025

🌎 Press Pause, Look Up (or Down)

Life has a way of slipping into routine — the same rhythms, the same lists, the same pace. Before we realise it, months have gone by, and we might feel as though we haven’t moved forward all that much.

I’ve been there — actually, if I’m honest, I find myself there quite a lot.

When that feeling creeps in, I try to pause. To take a breath and simply be present. To really notice the world around me — the wide stretch of sky above (or the ocean below), a new bloom in the garden, or the silky softness of my kittens as I sit quietly petting them (phone out of reach for once). No goals, no expectations — just presence.

Today, I found that moment on a flight over the Caribbean — a brief stillness between thoughts, plans, and worries.

And this is what I saw. ✨

12/10/2025

Dates for your diary for the remainder of 2025.

Please contact Nicci on twgwithnicci@gmail.com if you'd like to join any of these events

12/10/2025

Announcing our annual practice day - open to all.

Come along for a joyful and relaxed day in which you can sample tai chi, qigong, meditation and a sound bath.

All profits go to charity in memory of my teacher, Paul Brewer from HeavenMountain Taijiquan

RSVP to Nicci on twgwithnicci@gmail.com if you'd like to come along or have questions.

06/10/2025

Autumn is the time of metal in Chinese Medicine. It's about differentiating between what is valuable and what can be put down or let go of.

I love this Winnie the Pooh post which talks about exactly this concept.

Well worth a read and some reflection.

“Pooh,” said Piglet softly, “how do you know when it’s time to step away from things that make you sad?”
Pooh thought about this very carefully, because it was a question that touched both the heart and the tummy, and those were the most important sorts of questions. “Well, Piglet,” he said, “sometimes you notice that certain places or certain thoughts feel too heavy, like carrying too many honey pots all at once. And then you remember—it’s all right to set some of them down.”
Piglet tilted his head. “But isn’t that leaving things behind?”
Pooh shook his head gently. “Not leaving, Piglet. Just choosing. Choosing to keep what makes you warm inside and putting down what makes your paws ache. Because even in the Hundred Acre Wood, not every path is meant for every day. Some paths lead to sunshine, and some only to thistles.”
Piglet gave a little sigh of relief. “So self-care is knowing which path to walk?”
“Exactly,” said Pooh. “It’s remembering that it’s not selfish to take care of your heart. Because when your heart is lighter, you have more to share with the friends who need you most.”
And with that, Pooh leaned back against the log, flower in hand, tea steaming beside him, and decided that the best kind of strength wasn’t carrying everything, but knowing when to carry less.

02/10/2025

Perhaps you are wondering why I am posting this here...

Tai chi and qigong are more than just physical practices. They are an opening into exploring your nature as a being stood between heaven and earth (the Chinese term for this is tian-ren-di - literally, heaven-man-earth).

By becoming aware of our nature we see possibilities to shape how we are in the world.

For me, I recognised that I wanted to work to support the health, wellbeing and happiness of my community. That's why I trained as an acupuncturist and tai chi and qigong teacher. This brings me fulfilment and joy.

What is your true nature?

What brings you fulfilment and joy?

Want to know more? Get in touch with Nicci at twgwithnicci@gmail.com.